How to Set Up Your Google Nest Cam with Floodlight

Before You Begin

The Google Nest Cam with Floodlight is an outdoor security camera combined with two powerful LED floodlights. It provides intelligent alerts, two-way talk, HDR video, and bright flood lighting activated by motion or manual control. The device requires hardwired installation to a standard outdoor electrical junction box.

What You Will Need

• Google Nest Cam with Floodlight
• The Google Home app installed on your smartphone (iOS or Android)
• A Google account
• A 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Wi-Fi network with strong signal at the installation location
• An existing outdoor electrical junction box (round or octagonal, with 120V AC power)
• A Phillips-head and flat-head screwdriver
• A drill (for adjusting mounting if needed)
• Wire nuts (typically included)
• A ladder tall enough to safely reach the mounting location
• A voltage tester to confirm power is off

Step 1: Turn Off Power

1. Go to your electrical panel and turn off the circuit breaker that controls the outdoor junction box where you will install the floodlight cam.
2. Use a voltage tester at the junction box to confirm there is no live power. Never work with live wiring.
3. If replacing an existing floodlight, remove the old fixture and disconnect the wires. Set the old fixture aside.

Step 2: Set Up the Camera in the Google Home App First

1. Before mounting the camera, temporarily power it by connecting the wires to complete the initial software setup (or perform this step after mounting — see Step 5).
2. Open the Google Home app and tap the + icon, then Set up device > New device.
3. Scan the QR code on the camera or its quick start card.
4. Follow the prompts to connect the camera to your Wi-Fi network and assign it to a room.

Step 3: Mount the Base Plate

1. Attach the mounting plate to the outdoor electrical junction box using the provided screws and hardware.
2. Thread the house wiring (typically black, white, and green or bare copper) through the center opening of the mounting plate.
3. Ensure the mounting plate is flush against the junction box and the gasket is properly positioned to prevent water intrusion.

Step 4: Connect the Wiring

1. Connect the house wiring to the Nest Cam with Floodlight's wiring using wire nuts:
2. Black (hot) house wire to the black wire on the Nest Floodlight.
3. White (neutral) house wire to the white wire on the Nest Floodlight.
4. Green or bare copper (ground) house wire to the green wire on the Nest Floodlight.
5. Tuck all wired connections neatly into the junction box.
6. If your junction box uses different wire colors, consult a licensed electrician to confirm proper connections.

Step 5: Attach and Aim the Camera

1. Secure the Nest Cam with Floodlight onto the mounting plate using the provided screws.
2. Adjust the angle of the camera head to point toward the area you want to monitor — typically the driveway, walkway, or entry area.
3. Angle the two floodlight heads to illuminate the desired coverage area. They can be adjusted independently.
4. Turn the power back on at the circuit breaker.
5. The camera will boot up, indicated by a status light. Wait two to three minutes for it to fully connect.

Step 6: Configure Settings

1. Open the Google Home app and navigate to the Nest Cam with Floodlight.
2. Verify the live video feed and adjust the camera angle further if needed.
3. Set up Activity Zones to define which areas should trigger alerts and floodlight activation.
4. Configure floodlight behavior — choose whether the lights activate on motion, on a schedule, or manually only.
5. Adjust floodlight brightness to your preference (the lights can reach up to 2400 lumens).
6. Set up alert preferences for people, vehicles, and animals if you have a Nest Aware subscription.

Tips for Best Performance

• Position the camera at least 2.5 meters (8 feet) above the ground for the best field of view and to prevent tampering.
• Test Wi-Fi signal strength at the mounting location before installation. A weak signal will cause video quality issues and missed alerts.
• With Nest Aware, you get 30 days of event video history and intelligent alerts for people, vehicles, animals, and packages. Without it, the camera provides free 3-hour event history.
• The floodlights have a built-in dusk-to-dawn sensor that prevents them from activating during daytime. Adjust the sensitivity settings in the app if the lights are too sensitive or not sensitive enough.